Method and system for providing video mapping and travel planning services

ABSTRACT

An approach is provided for providing a first-person perspective video mapping service. Information corresponding to a geographic area is received from a subscriber of the mapping service over a network. One or more first-person perspective videos of at least a portion of the geographic area are retrieved based on the information. A first-person perspective video map is generated using the retrieved first-person perspective video(s) and is transmitted to the subscriber over the network.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The advent of global communication networks, e.g., the Internet, hasserved as a catalyst for the ubiquity of digital computing devices, aswell as the inauguration of increasingly more complex services, such asonline mapping and imaging programs. In addition to fulfilling basicpoint-of-interest functions, these applications also serve as helpfulnavigational aids. Namely, users can now readily obtain directions toand from particular points-of-interest, not to mention, acquiresatellite depictions of these locations. Furthermore, wirelesscommunication technologies have served to increase the popularity ofthese services. That is, wireless communication devices, besidesaffording users with the convenience of mobility, have been engenderinga continually expanding set of capabilities. For instance, as wirelesstechnologies become more sophisticated, features have expanded frommerely placing and receiving calls to enhanced services, such asdownloadable multimedia content and navigational systems supported by,for example, global positioning system (GPS) technology. It is notsurprising that these services are becoming critical, ever growingmarket segments. However, given the competitive landscape of thetelecommunications industry, service providers are continuallychallenged to develop new products and services. Nevertheless, fewapplications have been developed to exploit the availability of mapping,multimedia, and navigational information.

Therefore, there is a need for an approach that provides enhancedmapping and navigational services through multimedia applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and notby way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings inwhich like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of providing video mapping andtravel planning services, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an operational flowchart for providing video mapping andtravel planning services, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate the disjunction between aerialand first-person perspective views of an itinerary;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are, respectively, an operational diagram and a flowchartof a process for generating mapping content for video maps, according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are, respectively, an operational diagram and a flowchartof a process for generating and transmitting video maps to clientdevices, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process for dynamically obtaining andpresenting video maps to users via client devices, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 9A and 9B schematically illustrate the correlation betweenfirst-person perspective and video map views of an itinerary, accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a wireless device capable of presenting videomaps to users, according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a computer system that can be used to implementvarious exemplary embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred apparatus, method, and software for providing video mappingand travel planning services are described. In the followingdescription, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific detailsare set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of thepreferred embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, thatthe preferred embodiments may be practiced without these specificdetails or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the preferred embodiments of theinvention.

Although the various exemplary embodiments are described with respect toglobal positioning system (GPS) technology, it is contemplated that thevarious exemplary embodiments are also applicable to other equivalentnavigational and location determination technologies.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of providing video mapping andtravel planning services, according to an exemplary embodiment. For thepurposes of illustration, a system 100 for providing video maps (e.g.,video map 101) to one or more client devices (e.g., computing device 103and/or wireless device 105) over one or more networks (e.g., datanetwork 107, telephony network 109, and/or wireless network 111) isdescribed with respect to service provider network 113. While specificreference will be made thereto, it is contemplated that system 100 mayembody many forms and include multiple and/or alternative components andfacilities.

Traditionally, mapping and travel planning services have employedgraphical and textual descriptions of locations and itineraries. Usersoften print or otherwise reproduce this information for use during atrip, e.g., for location-to-location navigational directions. Owners ofportable GPS devices, such as GPS-enabled cellular devices, GPS-enabledpositioning technologies, GPS-enabled navigation devices, and the like,often rely on this same information but displayed to users via graphicaluser interfaces (GUI) or other like representations. In other instances,mapping and travel planning services have begun providing users withaudio instructions in addition to the graphical and/or textualpresentations. Even though these conventional maps and directions areoften clear and provide users with various details and information, theyare often too abstract. That is, users tend to experience difficultiestrying to visually and mentally translate the aerial views, i.e.,third-person perspective views, of a conventional presentation intoimmersed ground views, i.e., first-person perspective views, of the samelocation. Further, typical maps and/or navigational directions aregenerally graphically reproduced images with, in particular instances, aroute path approximately overlaid on the images to illustrate anintended itinerary. These depictions can be “cartoon-like,” i.e., notactual images of the locations being observed or traversed. Whilemapping and travel planning services are beginning to provide actualthird-person perspective images of particular locations, e.g., satelliteimages, these images are still provided as aerial views.

FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate the mental and visualdisjunction experienced by users attempting to translate an aeriallyviewed itinerary into a first-person perspective viewed itinerary. Asshown, the aerial view does translate well with the same location viewedfrom a first-person perspective. It is noted that individuals tend tohave a better recollection of a location, or how to get to a location,from an actual first-person experience, as opposed to a memorizedrecollection acquired from a graphically reproduced conventional map. Assuch, conventional maps and/or navigational presentations are moreappropriate for “air” travelers who may require “straight-down” or“slightly-angled” depictions of locations, as opposed to “ground”travelers who can benefit from first-person perspectives of the samelocations. Therefore, it is apparent that improvements are needed.

Accordingly, the approach according to certain embodiments stems fromthe recognition that deploying first-person perspective video mappingand travel planning services, whereby subscribers can experience imagesor movies of locations and itineraries as if they were there, providessubscribers with valuable, real-like simulations that parallel, if notcreate, genuine experiences. Viewing such first-person perspectiveimages or movies further provides subscribers with more effective visualinformation and travel cues given that the actual location can beexperienced without requiring visual or mental translation. Moreover,these presentations enable subscribers to also perceive elements of alocation/landscape, e.g., buildings, monuments, parks, signs,storefronts, vegetation, etc., that are often omitted by graphical maps,but frequently utilized by individuals as invaluable visual referencesand milestones. As such, mapping and travel planning services wouldgreatly benefit from first-person perspective presentations that providelocations and directions from the same point of view of a user on theground rather than on a hypothetical flight. Additional embodiments stemfrom the recognition that deploying first-person perspective videomapping and travel planning services that provide images or movies oflocations and/or itineraries that closely mimic the circumstancesexpected to be experienced also serve to enhance the ability of users tovirtually experience and learn about various locations and itinerariesbefore actually visiting them.

According to one embodiment, system 100 introduces video mapping andtravel planning services through a video mapping platform 115, wherebysubscribers can obtain personalized video maps 101 corresponding to oneor more geographic areas, e.g., cities, states, countries, continents,etc, and or one or more itineraries, e.g., driving, walking, etc. Thesevideo maps 101 may correspond to first-person perspective views or bothfirst-person and third-person perspective views of the geographic areasor itineraries. In this way, platform 115 utilizes one or morerepositories of mapping content, e.g., repositories 117 and 119,including first-person perspective images and/or videos of thegeographic areas or itineraries, which may be “stitched,” or otherwisesequenced, together to generate video maps 101. Repositories 117 and 119may also include third-person perspective images/videos of thegeographic areas or itineraries, as well. Accordingly, video maps 101may be experienced via one or more presentation interfaces (e.g., audioand/or visual interfaces) of one or more client devices, such ascomputing device 103 and wireless device 105. For example, users may bepresented with a video map 101, textual information (or instructions),auditory information, indicating a location or route via client devices103 and 105. Video output may be provided by at least one digital image,and audio output may be provided by digital audio associated with atleast a portion of the digital image/video; however, supplementaryauditory, textual, and/or graphical information may also be providedeither overlaid on a visual presentation or provided as an addendumthereto.

According to various other embodiments, platform 115 may be configuredto detect or receive the presence and physical location of users forgenerating and updating video maps 101 corresponding to, for example,navigational directions. In particular implantations, the location of,for instance, wireless device 105 may be detected without wirelessdevice 105 having to initiate a phone call or other like communicationsession. In this way, platform 115 may provide users with dynamic traveland point-of-reference information, such as updated video map 101depictions, updated turn-by-turn directions, updated milestones, etc.,corresponding the presence and physical location of users. Platform 115may further utilize this information, as well as information fromrepositories 117 and 119, to generate video maps 101, determine optimalrouting paths from one location to another, or substantially correlatevideo map 101 presentations to resemble or equate to “actual” conditionslikely to be experienced by users. In this way, repositories 117 and 119may further include various others forms and types of mapping content,such as one or more first-person perspective images/videos of variousgeographic locations, third-person perspective mapping information,routing information, places of interest information, etc. This mappingcontent may be correlated with positioning data (e.g., latitude,longitude, elevation, and the like) and/or direction data (e.g., north,east, south, and west). In other instances, the mapping content may alsobe correlated with various conditional factors (or aspects) possiblyaffecting the manner in which a location is experienced. Theseconditional factors may include weather data (e.g., cloud cover, ice,fog, glair, rain, sleet, snow, visibility, etc.), date/seasonal data(e.g., fall, spring, summer, and winter), lighting/timing data (e.g.,dawn, dusk, high noon, night, etc.), transit authority data (e.g.,accidents, congestion, road work, detours, and the like), and upcomingevents data (e.g., conventions, cultural events, parades, sportingevents, etc.), as well as any other suitable conditional variablecapable of affecting the perception of a location.

As seen in FIG. 1, system 100 can be configured to support a pluralityof client devices even though only two client devices, e.g., computingdevice 103 and wireless device 105, are depicted. Client devices 103 and105 may include one or more client programs (not shown) that operatethereon; however, it is contemplated that these client programs may beexecuted via platform 115 and, thereby, accessible to users via clientdevices 103 and 105. According to one embodiment, these client programsmay relate to one or more graphical user interfaces (GUI) configured tocontrol the presentation of one or more video maps 101. Additionally,the GUIs may be configured to facilitate the acquisitioning, exchanging,managing, sharing, storing, and updating of video maps 101 via clientdevices 103 and 105. In various instances, network browser applicationsmay be provided for accessing similar applications made available by,for example, platform 115. An exemplary GUI capable of execution onwireless device 105 is more fully described with respect to FIG. 10.Computing device 103 is described in more detail in accordance with FIG.11.

In an exemplary embodiment, wireless device 105 includes display 121,location module 123, memory 125, processor 127, and user interfacemodule 129; however, wireless device 105 may embody many forms andinclude other alternative components. Location module 123 can obtainlocation information using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology,and thus, behaves as a GPS receiver. Wireless device 105 employslocation module 123 to communicate with a constellation of satellites131. These satellites 131 transmit very low power interference andjamming resistant signals received by the GPS receivers 123. At anypoint on Earth, the GPS receiver 123 can receive signals from multiplesatellites (e.g., 6 to 11). Specifically, the GPS receiver 123 maydetermine three-dimensional geolocation (or spatial positioninginformation) from signals obtained from at least four satellites.Measurements from satellite tracking and monitoring stations locatedaround the world are incorporated into orbital models for each satelliteto compute precise orbital or clock data. GPS signals are transmittedover two spread spectrum microwave carrier signals that are shared byGPS satellites 131. Wireless device 105 needs to identify the signalsfrom at least four satellites 131, decode the ephemeris and clock data,determine the pseudo range for each satellite 131, and compute theposition of the receiving antenna. With GPS technology, wireless device105 can determine its spatial position with great accuracy andconvenience.

Additionally, system 100 may employ Assisted GPS (A-GPS) to mitigate thelost of GPS signals from obstructions between the GPS receiver 123 andsatellites 131. When operating in A-GPS mode, system 100 can provide forbetter in building or obstructed view spatial positioning information.Assistance data can be transmitted to wireless device from, for example,wireless network 111. In an exemplary embodiment, A-GPS information mayinclude ephemeris data differential GPS correct data, timing data andother aiding data. Using the aiding (or assistance) data, locationmodule 123 performs spatial positioning calculations via, for example,processor 127. In an exemplary embodiment, wireless device 105 cangenerate real-time speed and route adherence alerts using thiscalculated information. Additionally, transmission of the spatialpositioning information need not be frequent. Transmission of thegeolocation data can be made more compact because it is true locationrather than pseudo range data. Also, wireless device 105 can moreintelligently request assistance data because the device can itselfdetermine when ephemeris data is no longer valid.

Wireless device 105 utilizes display 121 to present video maps 101 tousers. In particular implementations these video maps 101 may includelocation-to-location navigational directions or other point-of-interestinformation. In any instance, however, video maps 101 includefirst-person perspective views of a particular geographic location,which may be correlated to those conditional factors previouslymentioned so as to provide users a substantially “real-world”experience, but virtually. Wireless device 105 is also configured tostore and execute instructions for supporting the video mapping andtravel planning services, as well as other communication functions.Processor 127, memory 125, and/or user interface module 129 are providedfor storing and executing these instructions, as well as provided aninterface for users to access the function of the video mapping andtravel planning services.

In this manner, client devices 103 and 105 may include any devicecapable of sending and receiving voice and data communications over anyof networks 107-113, as well as capable of processing and presentingmultimedia content, such as video maps 101, to users. For example,wireless device 105 may be any capable cellular phone, satellite phone,smart phone, wireless phone, or any other suitable mobile device, suchas a personal digital assistant (PDA), pocket personal computer,handheld navigational device, tablet, positioning technology, customizedhardware, etc. Further, computing device 103 may be any suitablecomputing device, such as a personal computer (PC), notebook computer,workstation, terminal, server, customized hardware, etc. While notillustrated, it is contemplated that wireless device 105 may be placedin communication with computing device 103 over a wired (e.g., FireWire,universal serial bus, etc.), wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, infrared, etc.),or networked link. As such, video maps 101 may be exchanged betweenclient devices 103 and 105, as well as shared between various users atrespective client devices 103 and 105. For management and organizationalpurposes, video maps 101 as well as various subscription relatedparameters (e.g., user names, passwords, subscriber demographicinformation, etc.) may be stored to user profiles repository 133, inaccordance with registered user accounts. User profiles may be updatedby users via one or more of networks 107-113 via, for example, clientdevices 103 and 105. User interface module 129 may also be configured toprovide users access to these management, organizational, sharing, anduser profile functions.

According to various embodiments, the video mapping and travel planningservices of platform 115 can be made accessible to client devices 103and 105 via one or more of networks 107-113. As such, telephony network109 may include a circuit-switched network, such as the public switchedtelephone network (PSTN), an integrated services digital network (ISDN),a private branch exchange (PBX), or other like network. Wireless network111 may employ various technologies including, for example, codedivision multiple access (CDMA), enhanced data rates for globalevolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system formobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem(IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as wellas any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX),wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, and the like. Data network 107 maybe any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), widearea network (WAN), the Internet, or any other suitable packet-switchednetwork, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switchednetwork, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network. Althoughdepicted as separate entities, networks 107-113 may be completely orpartially contained within one another, or may embody one or more of theaforementioned networks. For instance, service provider network 113 mayembody any circuit-switched and/or packet-switched network that includesfacilities to provide for transport of circuit-switched and/orpacket-based communications. It is further contemplated that any ofnetworks 107-113 may include components and facilities to provide forsignaling and bearer communications between the various components andfacilities of system 100. Nevertheless, the conjunction of networks 107,109, 111, and 113 may be adapted to provide the video mapping and travelplanning services of system 100, as well as enable user access toplatform 115.

As shown, video mapping platform 115 may include mapping module 135,routing module 137, and presence service module 139. It is contemplated,however, that platform 115 may embody many forms. For instance, platform115 may comprise computing hardware (such as described with respect toFIG. 11), as well as include one or more components configured toexecute the processes described herein for providing the video mappingand travel planning services to users at client devices 103 and 105.Furthermore, it is contemplated that the components of platform 115 maybe combined, located in separate structures, or separate physicallocations. In other words, a specific topology is not critical toembodiments of platform 115 or system 100 for that matter.

According to one embodiment, platform 115 embodies one or moreapplication servers accessible to client devices 103 and 105 over one ormore of networks 107-113. In this way, mapping module 135 is configuredto retrieve mapping content from repositories 117 and 119 in order togenerate video maps 101 from one or more first-person perspectivevideos. In particular embodiments, mapping module 135 retrieves themapping content to generate first-person perspective video maps 101 thatsubstantially correspond to expected ambient conditions of, for example,video mapped location-to-location navigational directions. In thismanner, routing module 137 is configured to plan a route from a startlocation to an end location, as well as, in certain embodiments, one ormore intermediary locations. Routing module 137 may utilize various linkand node data corresponding to a geographic area at least including thestart location, end location, and the one or more intermediarylocations. Further, platform 115 includes, or utilizes, presence servicemodule 139 to capture presence information or availability of clientdevices 103 and 105 for providing video maps 101, such as video mappedlocation-to-location navigational directions. An exemplary model forpresence determination is detailed in Internet Engineering Task Force(IETF) Request for Comment (RFC) 2778, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

To enhance the ability of users to develop a coherent mentalunderstanding of a geographic area, first-person perspective video maps101 may be developed and provided to users to correspond to the actual,similar, or predicted conditions of a geographic area. FIG. 2 is anoperational flowchart for providing video mapping and travel planningservices, according to an exemplary embodiment. For illustrativepurposes, flowchart 200 is described with reference to system 100.

In step 201, platform 115 obtains and stores one or more first-personperspective images or videos corresponding to a geographic area in oneor more mapping content repositories, e.g., mapping repositories 117 and119. This process is more fully described below with respect to FIGS. 4and 5. Next, platform 115 receives a user (e.g., subscriber) request fora first-person perspective video map 101 corresponding to at least aportion of the geographic area, per step 203. In response, platform 115generates a first-person perspective video map 101 using one or more ofthe first-person perspective videos, as in step 205. Subsequently, atstep 207, platform 115 transmits the first person perspective video map101 to the user. Steps 203-207 are more fully described below withrespect to FIGS. 6-8.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are, respectively, an operational diagram and a flowchartof a process for generating video mapping content, according to variousexemplary embodiments. For illustrative purposes, process 500 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 4. It is noted that the steps ofprocess 500 may be performed in any suitable order or combined in anysuitable manner.

In step 501, first person perspective still (or photographic) images orvideo corresponding to a geographic area may be acquired from one ormore mobile or stationary imaging devices 401. According to particularembodiments, one or more of imaging devices 401 may be mounted on amobile vehicle (e.g., delivery vehicle, public transportation vehicle,private-owner vehicle, service vehicle, taxi cab, etc.) or an individualat, for example, one or more orientations, such that as the vehicle orindividual traverses through a space, such as a building, sidewalk,street, or any other suitable location, still and/or video images fromeach of the imaging devices may be recorded. The recording may beprovided in real-time or later uploaded to, for example, repository 403.Further, the recording of each or particular still images and/or videomay be time coded and associated with spatial positioning information,such as latitude, longitude, elevation, pitch, roll, and yaw.

Per step 503, the spatial positioning information may be acquired from aGPS and/or an inertial navigation system (INS) also equipped to orassociated with the vehicle, individual, or one or more of the imagingdevices 401. In this manner, a GPS receiver may be located (orassociated) with a vehicle, individual, or one or of the imaging devices401 and a GPS base receiver may be located at a known position. TheseGPS receivers can be configured to acquire spatial positioninginformation, e.g., latitude, longitude, and/or elevation, from satelliteconstellation 131. Accordingly, errors introduced within the GPSsatellite information can be eliminated through differential processingof the spatial positioning information gathered by the GPS receiver andthe GPS base receiver. The INS may include a plurality of sensors, suchas rotation and acceleration sensors, that either periodically,continually, or in an on-demand fashion measure changes in rotationand/or velocity as the vehicle, individual, or one or more of imagingdevices 401 move in latitude, longitude, elevation, pitch, roll, andyaw. As such, the INS can provide raw differential spatial positioninginformation, which may be associated with one or more degrees offreedom, such as six degrees of freedom. This raw differential spatialpositioning information may be provided during or between spatialpositioning readings of the GPS receiver. This information may also beprovided in real-time or later uploaded to, for example, a repository403.

During step 505, content corresponding to one or more conditionalfactors characterizing the geographic area may be received from one ormore sources, such as sources 405, which may be supplied by the providerof the video mapping and travel planning service and/or one or morethird-party content providers. Sources 405 may include conditionalfactor information corresponding to weather data, date/seasonal data,lighting/timing data, transit authority data, upcoming events data, aswell as any other suitable conditional variable capable of affecting theperception of the geographic area. This conditional factor informationmay be provided in real-time or later uploaded to repository 407.

Thus, in step 507, the received still image(s) and/or video(s) may beindexed based on the spatial positioning information and/or conditionaldata. That is, the various forms of spatial positioning information maybe filtered and, thereby, utilized to compute one or more degrees offreedom for the vehicle, individual, or one or more of the imagingdevices 401. This information may be associated with a trajectory of thevehicle, individual, or one or more of the imaging devices 401 that,according to one embodiment, may also be time coded to correspond to thetime coding of the still image(s) and/or video(s) recorded via imagingdevices 401. As such, the trajectory may be fit through the spatialinformation to the still image(s) or video(s). Namely, the stillimage(s) or video(s) may be indexed according to the time coding of thespatial positioning information and the still image(s) or video(s), aswell as the multiple degrees of freedom of the vehicle, individual, orone or more of the imaging devices 401. Additionally, the indexed stillimage(s) or video(s) may be further relationally associated with, orindexed to, the various conditional factors characterizing thegeographic area.

Thus, per step 509, the indexed still image(s) and/or video(s) may bestored as mapping content to, for example, repository 409 that,according to particular embodiments, may correspond to one or more ofrepositories 117 and 119. In this manner, repository 117 may bemaintained by the provider of the video mapping and travel planningservices of system 100. Further, repository 119 may be maintained by athird-party service provider of such mapping content or portionsthereof. In any event, the various forms of mapping content may besupplied to video mapping platform 115 for the generation offirst-person perspective video maps 101, as will become more apparentbelow.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are, respectively, an operational diagram and a flowchartof a process for generating and transmitting video maps to clientdevices, according to an exemplary embodiment. For illustrativepurposes, process 700 is described with reference to the components ofFIG. 6. It is noted that the steps of process 700 may not be allinclusive, may include other steps not shown, and may be performed inany suitable order and/or combined in any suitable manner.

In step 701, video mapping platform 601 receives, from a user (e.g.,subscriber of the video mapping and travel planning service) at a clientdevice 603, information corresponding to a geographic area, itinerary,and/or current location information. For example, the user may interactwith a user interface of client device 603 to signal to platform 601that a video map 101 is desired, for instance, for location-to locationnavigational directions. A request dialog may be displayed via the userinterface for the user to specify a start location, end location, and/orexpected date/time of travel, as well as other options, such as displayformatting options (e.g., video map resolution, size, length,turn-by-turn directions, time estimate of travel, supplementaryaudio/text directions, places-of-interest overlay information, etc.) andone or more video mapping options (e.g., use of one or more of theconditional factors that might affect the perception of the geographiclocation). According to one embodiment, the start location maycorrespond to a current location of the user determined, for example,via location module 123. It is contemplated that the user may be enabledto input various intermediary locations for planning an entire trip,however, for ease of explanation, only one start location and endlocation are described. Nevertheless, the request dialog enables theuser at client device 603 to specify characteristics of a desired videomap 101 to be generated by platform 601. This information may bedynamically transmitted to platform 601 or may be transmitted at onceby, for example, the user triggering a “send request” function suppliedby the user interface (e.g., user interface module 129).

Once the video map request has been received, platform 601 may requestand receive information corresponding to one or more conditional factorsexpected to be experienced by the user, per step 703. This informationmay be requested and received from mapping content repository 605 basedon the date/time of travel input provided by the user. According to oneembodiment, the conditional factors might include weather data,date/seasonal data, transit authority data, and upcoming events data, aswell as any other suitable conditional variable capable of affecting theperception of the geographic area. Thus, at step 705, platform 601 maydetermine a travel route based on a correlation of the informationreceived from the user as well as from mapping content repository 603.Namely, routing module 137 may be provided with the start and endlocations to route an itinerary from the start location to the endlocation. In particular embodiments, presence service module 139 maysupply routing module 137 with the start location, while the endlocation may be obtained from the user via the request for a video map101. In this manner, routing module 137 may utilize various link andnode data for a geographic area encompassing the start and end locationsto route the itinerary. Once the route is determined, routing module 137may further determine an expected duration of travel, time of arrival,etc., which may be provided for presentation to the user via, forinstance, video map 101.

Based on the determined route, platform 601 may retrieve one or morefirst-person perspective still images and/or video of at least a portionof the geographic area encompassing the start and end locations, duringstep 707. That is, mapping module 121 may retrieve mapping content frommapping content repository 605. In particular implementations, themapping content, i.e., the still image(s) and/or video(s), may beretrieved based on the date/time information, the determined route,and/or one or more of the conditional factors. According to otherembodiments, still images and/or video may be acquired from imagingdevices 401 in real-time as the same is acquired. Still further, thestill images and/or videos may be acquired to substantially correspondto expected ambient conditions, as previously mentioned. Utilizing theretrieved mapping content, mapping module 135 may generate afirst-person perspective video map 101 from the start location to theend location, or one or more portions thereof. Namely, the one or morestill images and/or video may be sequenced together to form video map101. In particular implementations, this sequencing process may includeaveraging, editing, morphing, stitching, or any other suitable videoediting process, to generate a video map 101 from multiple still imagesand/or videos. The resulting video map 101 may be formatted and/orcompressed into any video format, such as audio video interleave (AVI)format, a full frame (uncompressed) format, moving picture experts group(MPEG) format, etc. According to certain other embodiments, first-personperspective video maps 101 may be provided with or include third-personperspective video presentations and/or conventional third-personperspective maps and information. As such, platform 601 may transmit,stream, or otherwise provide the video map 101 (or data corresponding tothe video map 101) to client device 603, per step 711.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process for dynamically obtaining andpresenting video maps to users via client devices, according to anexemplary embodiment. For illustrative purposes, process 800 isdescribed with reference to system 100. At step 801, wireless device 105establishes a communication session with video mapping platform 115 viaone or more of networks 107-113, wherein wireless device 105 submitsvarious itinerary information, e.g., a start location, end location,date of travel, time of travel, etc., corresponding to a geographic areato video mapping platform 115. That is a user (e.g., subscriber of thevideo mapping and traveling planning services) submits a request for afirst-person perspective video map 101 to platform 115 via a GUIapplication provided by, for example, user interface module 129. For thepurposes of explanation, it is assumed that the request for video map101 is for location-to-location navigational purposes. In response,wireless device 105 may receive all or some portion of video map 101from video mapping platform 115 over one or more of networks 107-113.According to one embodiment, video map 101 may be generated by videomapping platform 115 “on-the-fly” and, thereby, transmitted to wirelessdevice 105 as one or more streams of mapping data (or information),e.g., multimedia content. In this manner, per step 805, wireless device105 may receive the mapping information, format it (as necessary), andpresent it, e.g., display it, to the user as portions of video map 101via, for example, processor 127, memory 125, and/or display 121. Anexemplary presentation is further described in accordance with FIG. 10.

Assuming, for example, the user is utilizing video map 101 for dynamicnavigational turn-by-turn directions, wireless device 105 maycontinually, periodically, or in an “on-demand” fashion request updatedvideo mapping information from platform 115. This “updated” mappinginformation may be requested based on a comparison of a current positionof the user and the end location of the planned itinerary. Namely, instep 807, wireless device 105 determines a current position (e.g.,latitude, longitude, elevation, etc.) of the user via, for example,location module 123. Wireless device 105 via, for example, processor 127may determine whether the current position of the user corresponds tothe end location, per step 809. If it does, the process ends. If not,wireless device 105 submits, as in step 811, the current position of theuser to video platform 115 in order to obtain either an updated versionof video map 101 or a “next” series of mapping information associatedwith an “on-the-fly” version of video map 101. The process reverts tosteps 803-809 until the user arrives at their destination location,i.e., until a current position of the user corresponds to the endlocation previously provided to video mapping platform 115. In thismanner, platform 115 generates and provides video maps 101 to users thatsubstantially correlate to “real-world” experiences and expected ambientconditions.

FIGS. 9A and 9B schematically illustrate the correlation betweenfirst-person perspective and video map views of an itinerary, accordingto an exemplary embodiment. For the purposes of illustration, FIGS. 9Aand 9B are described with respect to turn-by-turn navigationaldirections for vehicular travel. It is noted that the video mappresentations of FIG. 9B are shown in “cartoon” form for illustrativepurposes, however, would correspond to actual depictions of “real-world”locations. As seen, the various video map presentations of FIG. 9Bsubstantially illustrate what the user can expect to experience whentraversing the vehicular itinerary shown in FIG. 9A. Since the video mapimages are provided from a first-person perspective, the user need notengage in any mental or visual translation to experience the geographicarea. According to particular embodiments, users of the video mappingand travel planning service may utilize the video map presentations ofFIG. 9B to determine weather and road conditions at certain times ofday, days of year, etc. Users with special needs may utilize the videomap presentations to verify the presence of, for example, wheel chairaccessibility features, e.g., curb cuts, accessible sidewalks, roads,etc. Travelers may utilize video map presentations to determinegeographic areas to visit, as well as plan their trips at the mostbeautiful times of year, least busy times, etc.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a wireless device capable of presenting videomaps to users, according to an exemplary embodiment. In this example,users may employ wireless device 1001 to request and obtain video maps101, which may include video mapped location-to-location navigationaldirections. As shown, device 1001 includes display 1003 for providing agraphical user interface (GUI) 1005 for requesting, experiencing, andcontrolling the “playback” of video maps 101, which may be supplementedby cursor buttons 1007 and key pad 1009. An audio interface 1011 may beprovided for “playback” of auditory directions, descriptions, or othermapping information, such as nearest gas stations, restaurants, etc., aswell as any other suitable point-of-interest information.

According to one embodiment, GUI 1005 includes a display region 1013 anda “soft” control region 1015. Display region 1013 may includefirst-person perspective video map region 1017, third-person perspectivemap region 1019, and textual direction region 1021. Meanwhile, softcontrol region 1015 may include soft controls 1023-1033 for controllingthe “playback” of display region 1013 and/or audio interface 1011. Forinstance, soft controls 1023-1033 may include zoom in 1023, zoom out1025, rewind 1027, fast forward 1029, play/pause 1031, and/or stop 1033controls, as well as any other suitable control, such as skip and otherdisplay parameters. These functions may also be provided via cursorbuttons 1007 and/or key pad 1009. Additionally, GUI 1005 may also beemployed for inputting video map requests, such as start and endlocations for obtaining navigational video mapped directions, as well asmanaging or organizing one or more video maps 101 and/or creating orupdating user profile information. In such instances, display region1013 may include one or more fields for inputting mapping and/or travelplanning information, while control region 1015 may include one or moresoft controls corresponding to, for example, an alphanumeric keyboard orother suitable interface. These soft controls and corresponding displaysmay be provided via, for example, user interface module 129. Accordingto one embodiment, mapping and/or travel planning information/commandsmay be conveyed to wireless device 1001 via voice recognition interface1035, wherein users may provide one or more spoken utterancescorresponding to one or more mapping and/or travel planning inputs.Wireless device 1001 may be further utilized to alter a user profile (oruser preferences with respect to the video mapping and travel planningservices).

The processes described herein for providing video mapping and travelplanning services may be implemented via software, hardware (e.g.,general processor, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), etc.), firmware or a combination thereof. Such exemplaryhardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

FIG. 11 illustrates computing hardware (e.g., computer system) 1100 uponwhich an embodiment according to the invention can be implemented. Thecomputer system 1100 includes a bus 1101 or other communicationmechanism for communicating information and a processor 1103 coupled tothe bus 1101 for processing information. The computer system 1100 alsoincludes main memory 1105, such as a random access memory (RAM) or otherdynamic storage device, coupled to the bus 1101 for storing informationand instructions to be executed by the processor 1103. Main memory 1105can also be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediateinformation during execution of instructions by the processor 1103. Thecomputer system 1100 may further include a read only memory (ROM) 1107or other static storage device coupled to the bus 1101 for storingstatic information and instructions for the processor 1103. A storagedevice 1109, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is coupled to thebus 1101 for persistently storing information and instructions.

The computer system 1100 may be coupled via the bus 1101 to a display1111, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display, activematrix display, or plasma display, for displaying information to acomputer user. An input device 1113, such as a keyboard includingalphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to the bus 1101 forcommunicating information and command selections to the processor 1103.Another type of user input device is a cursor control 1115, such as amouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicatingdirection information and command selections to the processor 1103 andfor controlling cursor movement on the display 1111.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the processes describedherein are performed by the computer system 1100, in response to theprocessor 1103 executing an arrangement of instructions contained inmain memory 1105. Such instructions can be read into main memory 1105from another computer-readable medium, such as the storage device 1109.Execution of the arrangement of instructions contained in main memory1105 causes the processor 1103 to perform the process steps describedherein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement mayalso be employed to execute the instructions contained in main memory1105. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used inplace of or in combination with software instructions to implement theembodiment of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are notlimited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

The computer system 1100 also includes a communication interface 1117coupled to bus 1101. The communication interface 1117 provides a two-waydata communication coupling to a network link 1119 connected to a localnetwork 1121. For example, the communication interface 1117 may be adigital subscriber line (DSL) card or modem, an integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN) card, a cable modem, a telephone modem, or anyother communication interface to provide a data communication connectionto a corresponding type of communication line. As another example,communication interface 1117 may be a local area network (LAN) card(e.g., for Ethernet™) or an Asynchronous Transfer Model (ATM) network)to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wirelesslinks can also be implemented. In any such implementation, communicationinterface 1117 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic, oroptical signals that carry digital data streams representing varioustypes of information. Further, the communication interface 1117 caninclude peripheral interface devices, such as a Universal Serial Bus(USB) interface, a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card InternationalAssociation) interface, etc. Although a single communication interface1117 is depicted in FIG. 11, multiple communication interfaces can alsobe employed.

The network link 1119 typically provides data communication through oneor more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link1119 may provide a connection through local network 1121 to a hostcomputer 1123, which has connectivity to a network 1125 (e.g. a widearea network (WAN) or the global packet data communication network nowcommonly referred to as the “Internet”) or to data equipment operated bya service provider. The local network 1121 and the network 1125 both useelectrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals to convey informationand instructions. The signals through the various networks and thesignals on the network link 1119 and through the communication interface1117, which communicate digital data with the computer system 1100, areexemplary forms of carrier waves bearing the information andinstructions.

The computer system 1100 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), the network link 1119, and thecommunication interface 1117. In the Internet example, a server (notshown) might transmit requested code belonging to an application programfor implementing an embodiment of the invention through the network1125, the local network 1121 and the communication interface 1117. Theprocessor 1103 may execute the transmitted code while being receivedand/or store the code in the storage device 1109, or other non-volatilestorage for later execution. In this manner, the computer system 1100may obtain application code in the form of a carrier wave.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to the processor 1103 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, suchas the storage device 1109. Volatile media include dynamic memory, suchas main memory 1105. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copperwire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus 1101.Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic, optical, orelectromagnetic waves, such as those generated during radio frequency(RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms ofcomputer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexibledisk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM,CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, opticalmark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or otheroptically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM,any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other mediumfrom which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in providinginstructions to a processor for execution. For example, the instructionsfor carrying out at least part of the embodiments of the invention mayinitially be borne on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. In such ascenario, the remote computer loads the instructions into main memoryand sends the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modemof a local computer system receives the data on the telephone line anduses an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signaland transmit the infrared signal to a portable computing device, such asa personal digital assistant (PDA) or a laptop. An infrared detector onthe portable computing device receives the information and instructionsborne by the infrared signal and places the data on a bus. The busconveys the data to main memory, from which a processor retrieves andexecutes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory canoptionally be stored on storage device either before or after executionby processor.

While certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have beendescribed herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparentfrom this description. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to suchembodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the presented claims andvarious obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.

1. A method comprising: receiving, from a subscriber over a network,information corresponding to a geographic area as part of a mappingservice; retrieving, based on the information, a first-personperspective video of at least a portion of the geographic area from arepository including a plurality of first-person perspective videos ofthe geographic area; and generating a first-person perspective video mapusing the first-person perspective video.
 2. A method according to claim1, further comprising: transmitting the first-person perspective videomap to the subscriber over the network, wherein the first-personperspective video map is streamed in real-time or provided asdownloadable content.
 3. A method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving a current location of the subscriber; anddetermining a travel route through at least a portion of the geographicarea based on the current location and the information, wherein thefirst-person perspective video is also retrieved based on the currentlocation and the travel route.
 4. A method according to claim 3, whereinthe information includes a start location and an end location for thetravel route, the travel route being a driving route or a walking route.5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first-person perspectivevideo is captured via one or more mobile imaging devices, thefirst-person perspective video being associated with, and also retrievedbased on, positional information, directional information, or positionaland directional information.
 6. A method according to claim 1, whereinthe first-person perspective video is associated with informationcorresponding to weather statistics, traffic conditions, upcomingevents, or a combination thereof.
 7. A method comprising: receiving,from a subscriber over a network, information corresponding to ageographic area as part of a mapping service; retrieving, based on theinformation, a first-person perspective video of at least a portion ofthe geographic area; generating a first-person perspective video mapusing the first-person perspective video; receiving schedulinginformation from the subscriber over the network, the schedulinginformation including date and time data; and determining one or moregeographic conditions of the geographic area based on the schedulinginformation, the geographic conditions including seasonal and lightingconditions, wherein the first-person perspective video is also retrievedto substantially correspond to the one or more geographic conditions. 8.A method comprising: receiving, from a subscriber over a network,information corresponding to a geographic area as part of a mappingservice; retrieving, based on the information, a first-personperspective video of at least a portion of the geographic area;generating a first-person perspective video map using the first-personperspective video; transmitting the first-person perspective video mapto the subscriber over the network, wherein the first-person perspectivevideo map is streamed in real-time or provided as downloadable content;transmitting, to the subscriber over the network, a third-personperspective overhead map corresponding to the first-person perspectivevideo map, wherein the first-person perspective video map, thethird-person perspective overhead map, or the first-person perspectivevideo map and the third-person perspective overhead map include overlayinformation corresponding to storefronts, landmarks, signs, streets, ora combination thereof, within the geographic area.
 9. An apparatuscomprising: a communication interface configured to receive, from asubscriber over a network, information corresponding to a geographicarea as part of a mapping service; and a processor configured toretrieve, based on the information, a first-person perspective video ofat least a portion of the geographic area from a repository including aplurality of first-person perspective videos of the geographic area andto generate a first-person perspective video map using the first-personperspective video.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein thecommunication interface is further configured to stream the first-personperspective video map to the subscriber over the network in real-time,or provide the first-person perspective video map to the subscriber asdownloadable content over the network.
 11. An apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein the communication interface is further configured toreceive a current location of the subscriber, and the processor isfurther configured to determine a travel route through at least aportion of the geographic area based on the current location and theinformation corresponding to the geographic area, and also retrieve thefirst-person perspective video based on the current location and thetravel route.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein theinformation includes a start location and an end location for the travelroute, the travel route being a driving route or a walking route.
 13. Anapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first-person perspectivevideo is captured via one or more mobile imaging devices, thefirst-person perspective video being associated with positionalinformation, directional information, or positional and directionalinformation, and the processor is further configured to retrieve thefirst-person perspective video based on the positional information,directional information, or positional and directional information. 14.An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first-person perspectivevideo is associated with information corresponding to weatherstatistics, traffic conditions, upcoming events, or a combinationthereof.
 15. An apparatus comprising: a communication interfaceconfigured to receive, from a subscriber over a network, informationcorresponding to a geographic area as part of a mapping service; and aprocessor configured to retrieve, based on the information, afirst-person perspective video of at least a portion of the geographicarea and generate a first-person perspective video map using thefirst-person perspective video, wherein the communication interface isfurther configured to receive scheduling information from the subscriberover the network, the scheduling information including date and timedata, and the processor is further configured to determine one or moregeographic conditions of the geographic area based on the schedulinginformation, the geographic conditions including seasonal and lightingconditions, and retrieve the first-person perspective videosubstantially corresponding to the one or more geographic conditions.16. An apparatus comprising: a communication interface configured toreceive, from a subscriber over a network, information corresponding toa geographic area as part of a mapping service; and a processorconfigured to retrieve, based on the information, a first-personperspective video of at least a portion of the geographic area andgenerate a first-person perspective video map using the first-personperspective video, wherein the communication interface is furtherconfigured to stream the first-person perspective video map to thesubscriber over the network in real-time, or provide the first-personperspective video map to the subscriber as downloadable content over thenetwork, wherein the communication interface is further configured totransmit, to the subscriber over the network, a third-person perspectiveoverhead map corresponding to the first-person perspective video map,such that the first-person perspective video map, the third-personperspective overhead map, or the first-person perspective video map andthe third-person perspective overhead map include overlay informationcorresponding to storefronts, landmarks, signs, streets, or acombination thereof, within the geographic area.
 17. A methodcomprising: transmitting, over a network, to a service provider of amapping service, information corresponding to a geographic area;receiving, over the network, from the service provider, first-personperspective video mapping information corresponding to at least aportion of the geographic area from a repository including a pluralityof first-person perspective videos of the geographic area; andpresenting the first-person perspective video mapping information to asubscriber of the mapping service.
 18. A method according to claim 17,wherein the first-person perspective video mapping information isprovided by the service provider as a real-time stream or asdownloadable content.
 19. A method according to claim 17, furthercomprising: transmitting, to the service provider, a current positionand direction of the subscriber, wherein the first-person perspectivevideo mapping information is received based on the current position anddirection, the first-person perspective video mapping information beingrelated to a travel route of the subscriber.
 20. A method according toclaim 19, wherein the information includes a start location and an endlocation for the travel route, the travel route being a driving route ora walking route.
 21. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:transmitting over the network, to the service provider, schedulinginformation including date and time data, wherein the first-personperspective video mapping information is transmitted to the subscriberto substantially correspond to geographic conditions associated with thedate and time data, the geographic conditions including weatherconditions, traffic conditions, upcoming event conditions, or acombination thereof.
 22. A method according to claim 17, whereinpresentation of the first-person perspective video mapping informationis controlled by the subscriber, and controls for presentation includeplaying, pausing, reviewing, fast-forwarding, skipping, zooming, or acombination thereof.
 23. A method comprising: transmitting, over anetwork, to a service provider of a mapping service, informationcorresponding to a geographic area; receiving, over the network, fromthe service provider, first-person perspective video mapping informationcorresponding to at least a portion of the geographic area; andpresenting the first-person perspective video mapping information to asubscriber of the mapping service, wherein presentation of thefirst-person perspective video mapping information is combined withpresentation of a third-person perspective overhead map corresponding tothe first-person perspective video mapping information, one or more ofthe presentations including overlay information corresponding tostorefronts, landmarks, signs, streets, directions, or a combinationthereof, within the geographic area.
 24. A system comprising: arepository including a plurality of first-person perspective videos of ageographic area, the first-person perspective videos being acquired fromone or more mobile imaging devices and being stored to the repositoryaccording to positional and directional information; and a mappingmodule configured to receive, from a subscriber, informationcorresponding to the geographic area, to selectively retrievefirst-person perspective videos from the repository based on theinformation corresponding to the geographic area, and to generate afirst-person perspective video map using the selectively retrievedfirst-person perspective videos, wherein the first-person perspectivevideo map is transmitted to the subscriber as part of a mapping service.25. A system according to claim 24, wherein the mapping module isfurther configured to receive a current location of the subscriber, todetermine one or more geographic conditions of the geographic area, thegeographic conditions including seasonal and lighting conditions, andreceive from a routing module a driving or walking travel route throughat least a portion of the geographic area determined based on thecurrent location, the information corresponding to the geographic area,the one or more geographic conditions, or a combination thereof, thefirst-person perspective videos also being selectively retrieved basedon the current location, the information corresponding to the geographicarea, the one or more geographic conditions, or a combination thereof.